Hi Guys,

Thank you for making this forum such a great source of information for SUP enthusiasts!

I'm a moderately experienced flat water paddler that would like to have a go at some low level easy waves to round out my SUP skills and add a whole other level of fun to the activity. I currently paddle the wider model race boards and have a 2015 Starboard AllStar 14x28 and 2014 Fanatic Falcon 14x27.25. I'm pretty rock solid on these but in a moving water environment that's a whole other kettle of fish. I'm not aspiring to be a full-on surfer carving out bottom turns and the like, but just riding a few little rollers on my race board would make me happy enough. I'm a pretty lightweight model at 60kg wringing wet and 5.9 tall and based in Brisbane.

Questions are:

1. Am I going to struggle trying to catch my first waves on those race boards and end up failing miserably and giving up on the whole idea, and should I be buying myself a standard 10 foot surf specific SUP instead. I know it depends on my skill level but what's your general feeling.

2. Where to go to find those little rollers, locations and best tide times/conditions etc. (Brisbane based, so Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast etc)

3. Biggest fear is getting any big (race or surf) board out through the wash, I suppose if I'm at a really small surf spot it shouldn't be too bad, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be falling off a lot. I've watched plenty of videos of guys popping the nose up and over the wash but I bet it's not as easy as they make it look. If I get desperate are there any real world tips/strategies to help me get out the back.

Much appreciated, Damo

The best place to go is Noosa or another good reef break, easier to get around the waves compared to a beach break and gives you time to adapt. I would get a 10ft x 32 or 33in wide, Naish Mana is my fav in that size but up your way Deep Boards are really good and local.
i was in Noosa recently and one or 2 guys surfed their 14ft boards but you need to be able to step back and move your feet a lot to do it safely, it's a lot f board in a wipeout and not appreciated by those it hits. Learn on really small days as the crowds will be smaller and take the small waves no one else is going for, you will notice when it's time to go.
Hope it helps?

Stay well away from Noosa points until you're competent in the surf. If it's breaking even at knee height there will be dozens of long boarders fighting for the same wave and nobody wants a SUP coming sideways through a crowded lineup.

find a bank on one of the open beaches on a day when the swell is tiny, the wind light and there is nobody else out. or go to the inside breaks on the noosa bar on a high tide where it's small and mellow.

Check out happy valley in caloundra mate, there is a few locals on the long race type sups that kill it in the waves. Although they usually go straight its great fun watching and racing them.

Plenty of locals go there so it's a decent friendly crowd as well.

Hi Damo I'm in Brisbane and learning to surf my 14" on little runners as well . I find cotton tree rivermouth on the Sunny coast for an hour or so before high tide to be pretty good fun or Talle Creek river mouth on the Goldy if you are located on the south side. also heard Happy Valley is great as well and know its a popular Sup surf spot

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I'm not aspiring to be a full-on surfer carving out bottom turns and the like,

I give you 3 months until your frothing like a grom and trying to work out just how many surf SUPs you need - enjoy!

Hi Damien

I would highly recommend buying a 10' x 32" allround SUP to learn to surf
A raceboard is a tricky beast in waves.... and pretty easy to snap or get hurt if you are not experienced.

I fell 100 times my 1st day out..... on a 36" wide board, and I have surfed all my life.
Give yourself all the advantage that you can, and expect a steep learning curve at first.
Hang in there.... it gets easier pretty quickly

and never, ever go out at a famous point break on a SUP as a newbie..... nothing good will come out of that.

Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate you sharing your experience. I'll certainly keep well away from the crowds, in fact the less people the better as far as I'm concerned.

Anyone know what tide heights/times and winds are the sweet spot for Happy Valley.

Thanks again!

On a good day (swell) go to Tallebudgera creek mouth on a mid rising tide. you can catch a gentle wave and paddle out in flat water. you can paddle as far out or as little as you want. perfect beginners waves in right conditions.

Thanks for the detailed info Pete, much appreciated!

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Damienpc said..
Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate you sharing your experience. I'll certainly keep well away from the crowds, in fact the less people the better as far as I'm concerned.

Anyone know what tide heights/times and winds are the sweet spot for Happy Valley.

Thanks again!

A few hours before and after high tide is great for happys can get a bit full on dead high depending on conditions. Look for a NE or W wind for the most comfortable session.

Thanks Nugdam!

Did you mean gets 'full' of people at high tide or 'full-on' conditions at high tide?

I'm with Rick on this one ,race boards are hard to surf and you will fall of a lot ..and you are limited to going straight ,well thats what they are designed for
but you will catch waves on it for sure ,and there is some fun involved ...
but a 10 foot board is the perfect beginner size ,or even a 11,11,4 nalu ,or simular long board size ..you will be able to move it around in the right position ,
and have more fun ,,
line the wave up ..go right out the back and paddle onto the wave ..then move up the back so they don't nose dive ,
have fun ..i remember my first lump i caught on a SUP ,i was smiling for days ,,20 boards later here I am ..LOL.
i still have 14's and enjoy them in 1 foot waves ,there surely is a art surfing them ,and those who can do are usually
fantastic surfers .

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Damienpc said..
Thanks Nugdam!

Did you mean gets 'full' of people at high tide or 'full-on' conditions at high tide?

Full as in alot of water around and not much of a wave.

Nugdam/Tardy, thanks again for the detailed replies!